Air Force Pilots Blow The Whistle On F-22 Raptor's Mysterious, And Dangerous, Flaw

This June 22, 2009 photo released by the U.S. Navy shows an Air Force F-22 Raptor executing a supersonic flyby over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in the Gulf of Alaska. (AP Photo/US Navy - Ronald Dejarnett, File)

Two elite Air Force pilots are seeking protection under the federal whistleblower law for revealing safety problems on the F-22 Raptor, and refusing to fly until those issues are resolved.

On Sunday night, Maj. Jeremy Gordon and Capt. Josh Wilson risked their careers by appearing on the CBS news program "60 Minutes," in uniform and without permission to discuss the stealth fighter's flaw.

(See a clip from the segment above)

Both pilots, who flew combat missions in the Iraq War, said they love flying the $400 million jets. But a faulty oxygen system that is suffocating the pilots and causing blackouts is making them fear for their lives and for the lives of people on the ground. Many other F-22 pilots have experienced disorientation, difficulty breathing and forgetfulness in the stealth fighters as well as a cough that follows them even after they land.

This dangerous safety issue may have even claimed a pilot's life.

In 2010, Capt. Jeffrey Haney died when his F-22 crashed in Alaska, The Air Force Times reported. Although evidence showed Haney had blacked out just prior to hitting the ground, the incident was attributed to pilot error, Danger Room reported.

More than a dozen other incidents occurred after the crash, prompting the Air Force to ground the jets in May 2011. But an investigation into the F-22's on-board oxygen-generating system found no "definitive cause" for the blackouts.

The Air Force put the jets back into the air last September, and ordered a change in the aircraft's charcoal filters as a stop gap measure. Following this update, several pilots who flew in the modified jets suffered from oxygen deprivation, including Maj. Gordon. Others began coughing up black sputum.

Despite the known safety issues, F-22 pilots have been ordered to continue flying. In fact, the Air Force is now threatening pilots with disciplinary action if they refuse to fly for safety reasons.

In response, some pilots are taking out extra life insurance policies. In addition to pleading their case on "60 Minutes," Maj. Gordon and Capt. Wilson have reached out to Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) for help and whistleblower protection.

"We are waiting for something to happen," Capt. Wilson said. "And if it happens, nobody's going to be surprised. I think it's a matter of time."

WATCH THE ENTIRE '60 MINUTES' REPORT BELOW:

Comments

[fredrdr]

07:43 AM on 05/26/2012

All new systems have teething problems. I am disappointed that there are still problems because the aircraft did have a protracted developmental time. It has been in design and testing for 20 years. I place blame on MBA's, polititians, and Wall Street. We are now seeing Eishenhour's predictions about the military-industrial(congressional) complex.

[doctorJulia]

09:44 AM on 05/16/2012

We have to get past this idea that the best way to spend our tax dollars is to fund companies like Lockheed to build even more expensive and useless armaments. We have no enemies from which we need to field such aircraft. How many fighter jets have been used in combat since world war II? Even in Viet Nam fighter jets made very little difference. All military aircraft should be drones. They can do the things that need to be done and cost 1% of a jet fighter. I realize that a lot of technical people will lose their jobs but there are plenty of jobs for engineers. Of course, aerospace engineers who switch to commercial jobs may be paid a little less but why should be continue wasting huge amounts of money on this worthless crap.

[murrellselden]

06:08 AM on 05/13/2012

Rule No. 1: Never trust hardware contractors to build exactly according to spec. The will lie
to cover their asses.

[murrellselden]

05:57 AM on 05/13/2012

Some have suggested that Lockheed or subcontractors know what the problem may be and
are covering it up. This is always possible, because of the "poisionous competitive environment" in the Air Force. Paying to fix a fault can be very expensive, and heartless contractors and subcontractors might use problems as wheeling/dealing tools. This is wrong and counts pilots as "expendable." They are "expendable" in war, if there is a good purpose. That is what pilots have to expect in war, because then they are pawns for the West Point grads to play with. Pilots, "yours is not to reason why, but yours is but to do and die." Is this wrong? (Depends on your religion.)

[murrellselden]

05:47 AM on 05/13/2012

I don't know how the oxygen concentrator works, so maybe it is not used in other aircraft. If it is used in other aircraft, what is the difference. Some oxygen concentrators use gas permeability to concentrate oxygen, and that means plastic films and/or maybe zeolite. Film outgasing or souce of zeolite could be important. I would divide pilots into two groups, those affected and those not affected. Then I would have blood tests on the two groups after flights. Maybe some have stronger hearts or lungs than others. An endochrinologist should be consulted. Langley is right by the ocean. Some mold spores or atmospheric contaminant may be involved. Try giving pilots Clariten[tm] to see if Raptor cough is remedied. Send affected pilots and F-22's to some place like Colorado and see if geography has an effect. Maybe it is air over Langley AFB.

[rssllbll55]

06:54 PM on 05/12/2012

I think these two aviators should be grounded they so fervently believe their lives are at risk.

[fredrdr]

07:36 AM on 05/26/2012

While all military service has the potential to be hazardous, ground combat and aviation go beyond. These pilots are ready to face unknown threats, possibly supierior pilots and aircraft, we must not expect them to risk death because of a problem that is correctable. The only complaint I have is they should not have been in unform, as it could bring UCMJ charges. They should be commended for bring a problem to light.

[Monte Dahl]

03:50 AM on 05/10/2012

The problem is the air that passes through the engine has now got exoust gasses in it and they are breathing carbon monoxide putting them to sleep. and a carbon filter is even worse. Very bad design and dangerous.

[Todd Platten]

09:53 PM on 05/08/2012

We have the F-18 for the Navy and the F-15 for the Air Force. Both workhorses and dependable! We also have Stealth fighters and bombers. What is the need for the F-22 Raptor? An overpriced piece of junk!

[fredrdr]

07:38 AM on 05/26/2012

Boeing built an variation of the F15 that is a little less stelthy and cheaper. I would like to see a fly-off between the F15SE and F22. As for the vecored thrust, that was tested on an F18 by NASA.

[OdinsEye]

07:51 PM on 05/08/2012

Since the USAF was already aware of the issue and trying to find an answer, I am not sure how these guys would be considered whistleblowers or be afforded whistleblower protection.

Further, it is my understanding that the USAF is NOT threatening discplinary actions for those who refuse to fly the jet.

[rvhalejr]

01:45 PM on 05/08/2012

That flushing sound was LOCKHEED MARTIN's reputation going down the toilet. This is more than an engineering problem, its a management problem. Having extensive experience with LM the solution has very likely been known for years but squashed by program executives and officers.

I'm impressed with the some of the more knowledgeable posts. I'd suggest that the F18 upgrade verses F22 is related to the Electronic Warfare and Stealth arena where the F18
cannot compete. The F18 does have a role just like (believe it or not) the B52.

I have not reviewed all the public information yet but hell will rain down if this is not fixed
yesterday.

[vonwoomer]

11:45 AM on 05/08/2012

As a retired US Air Force officer, I find these pilot's decision making on taking this problem to the media unprofessional in the least . The Air Force has a system of fixing these problems so it's difficult to understand why they would not. According to the story, they did modifications to the O2 system, and at this time are working on a modification to the "original fix". It's a risky business flying high tech jet aircraft, particularly "new platforms" until all problems reveal themselves in actual flight missions.

I would expect their careers as F22 pilots over, whistleblower "protection" or not.

[Bob Comer]

11:46 PM on 05/10/2012

The AF fails to fix a deadly problem and all you can do is attack the messengers! Pathetic. I got out of the military after one enlistment because of a general military mentality like yours! Since when is not fixing a potentially deadly problem OK? The AF did ground the planes for a while, but it is clear to me that they should not have released the planes until a thorough and complete fix was installed and tested by LM. These two pilots should get a medal for wanting to protect all other AF personnel who fly these planes and the public, too!

[vonwoomer]

06:57 AM on 05/11/2012

You know little about the military and seem bitter about your experiences...Mine are otherwise, professional and respectful....

[murrellselden]

09:40 AM on 05/14/2012

You are right! They are violating policy and procedure. They should be court martialed for
giving "comfort to the enemy.' Then sentenced to perpetural rides on the new Six Flags America ride until they come clean. They are obviously fifth columnists, and we don't need there kind regardless of whether they were excellent trained killers in Iraq.

[wizeanne1950]

10:06 AM on 05/08/2012

What courage for these two pilots to come forward!!! What a sickening cover up! Heads should roll! Starting with Air Force General Norton Schwartz! WHO authorized putting the F-22 back in the air, after only 4 months being grounded? You can bet there were more incidents that weren't reported because the pilots knew if they complained they'd be grounded or worse receive disciplinary actions against them. This is how our military is treated when their lives are knowingly put in danger of known defects of equipment??? Reminds me of the unprotected humvees that were sent to Iraq and Afghanistan that were not equipped with the necessary shields to protect the driver/passengers when hit by IED's! What was that Rumsfeld said about the unprotected humvees..."had to work with what they have." What little regard for the lives of our military men and women! SHAME ON LOCKHEED MARTIN, AIR FORCE, DOD ....have you no honor and integrity?

Can't imagine the heart ache and anger the family of the F-22 pilot Jeff Haney, must have dealing with the grief of losing their son, brother and Anna Haney losing her husband and her two children losing their father must be going through, having to hear the weak excuses and blaming Jeff Haney! Prayers to the Haney family and may justice prevail. YOU deserve justice in a court of law and more than apologies from all parties involved in this insult to the memory of Jeff Haney.!

[mmaatt747]

12:00 AM on 05/10/2012

Where is the cover-up though? The Air Force has admitted not being able to find the problem even though they put the F-22's back in service. I'm not saying that was the correct thing to do but at the same time I am not aware of a cover-up.

[chaya]

09:41 AM on 05/08/2012

Ah, the ponderous machinery of the military, groaning along at its finest peak of efficiency! Why do these men have to sit down, shut up, and fly these deathtraps? Because a few rich guys somewhere made a deal with a few politicians somewhere and a few Pentagon officials somewhere are getting side-bennies for making it all happen.

In the military, sometimes you're a glorious warrior for peace and right--and sometimes you realize that you're really just a pawn in a larger game with no ethics at all.

[vonwoomer]

11:47 AM on 05/08/2012

Opinion of this comment: Unexperienced and uninformed, as well as presumptious.

[chaya]

12:07 PM on 05/08/2012

Opinion of this comment: commenter, lacking his own opinions, indulges in assumptions and the use of adjectives in a pathetically lazy attempt to defeat an argument using the ad hominem approach.

You know nothing about me.

Let's keep it that way.

[Skyler McLane]

09:00 AM on 05/08/2012

If they need air, why don't they just open the windows?

Thats what I do in my car.
/snark

[RocketPower]

11:09 AM on 11/26/2012

lol at the prescience of this comment, Mr. Romney. Sorry doing some f22 research and came across this.

[GreyJohn]

06:20 AM on 05/08/2012

These 2 pilots are toast. They may be spot on correct in their opinion that the plane is unsafe but the USAF will fry their careers when this blows over. Both will leave the Air Force within a year to pursue other options. They will never recover from this caper.

The plane may be unsafe, time will tell. Bottom line is that this costly beast has no challengers in a world of rag tag terrorists. Who you gonna chase and shoot down in this thing?

[Hunter3203]

04:32 PM on 05/08/2012

The pilots are actually in the Air Force Reserve. They probably have full time jobs which is probably why they were willing to go public in the first place.